Doggone It, These Books are Purr-fect! Crafty Critters in YA.

Today I’ve got animals on the brain, and not because I am worried about black cats on Friday the 13th! It’s because all of the books I am currently working feature a furry friend. I am being charmed by Charlie, the coyote in The Daily Coyote by Shreve Stockton. I am once again being amused by Grimalkin in The Iron Knightby Julie Kagawa, and I am enthralled by the direwolves in A Clash of Kingsby George R.R. Martin. All of these four-legged characters got me thinking about the role animals play in YA literature. Animal characters are the staple of children’s literature, but by the time readers get to the teen section humans reign supreme as the main character. Thankfully there are still many animals that shine in the role of secondary characters. As you look over my lists you may notice some missing titles. I have intentionally excluded books where I know something bad happens to the animal in the story. I have also made a note of the books I haven’t read so I can’t say for sure what happens with the animals.

CATTY CHARACTERS

I am more of a dog person, but I do enjoy a good cat character sometimes. My favorite is Grimalkin.

I am quite fond of the smelly old dog called the Doorman in I am the Messengerby Markus Zusak. I wouldn’t want him to live with me, but I like hearing about him!
1. I am the Messenger by Markus Zusak.
2. I am Number Four by Pittacus Lore (as a Clevelander, I am particularly fond of little Bernie Kosar!).
3. The Ruby Oliver series by E. Lockhart (I can’t remember if Polka Dot arrives in book 2 or 3).
4. Saving Zashaby Randi G. Barrow.
5. Robot Dreams by Sara Varon.
6. Mush! Sled Dogs with Issuesby Glenn Eichler.
7. My Boyfriends’ Dogsby Dandi Daley Mackall.
8. Sorta Like a Rock Starby Matthew Quick.
9. The Splendor Falls by Rosemary Clement-Moore.

HAY IS FOR THESE HORSES

I think one of my favorite YA animal characters ever is Tug, the little pony in The Ranger’s Apprentice series by John Flanagan. I have not read any of the other books on the Horse list.

1. The Ranger’s Apprentice series by John Flanagan.
2. The Scorpio Racesby Maggie Stiefvater
3. Horse Camp by Nicole Lea Helget.
4. The A Circuit series by Georgina Bloomberg.
5. The Georges and the Jewels by Jane Smiley.

DON’T LET THESE BOOKS GET YOUR GOAT

Can you believe I came up with three books off the top of my head that have goats in them? The goats in Texas Gothic are kind of mischievous. I like that in a goat.